Lunch: Tea Bar

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Tea Bar

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

Mint, and Earl Grey teas
Amaretto liqueur
Simple syrup, recipe follows
Candied lemon peel, recipe follows
Whipped cream, recipe follows

Instructions

On a large serving tray, arrange the teapots alongside the bottle of liqueur, a small pitcher of simple syrup, the bowl of whipped cream, and a plate of the candied lemon peel.
Invite guests to sample different teas and flavor them as they desire.
Bring water to a boil. Turn off heat. Add bruised mint leaves and allow to steep. Yield: 3 to 4 servingsPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 10 minutes
Using a vegetable peeler cut the yellow part of the lemon from the stem end down to the navel end, forming long 3/4 to 1-inch strips. Bring a heavy small saucepan of water to a boil. Add the peels and cook for 1 minute. Drain and then rinse the peels under cold water. Repeat cooking the peels, 2 more times, in the saucepan with fresh boiling water and rinsing under cold water. In the same pan combine the peels with 1 cup of simple syrup. Simmer over medium-low heat until the peels are soft, about 15 minutes. Using tongs, transfer the peels to parchment paper to dry slightly, about 1 hour. Yield: 12 to 16 stripsPrep Time: 25 minutesCook Time: 40 minutes
In a saucepan combine water and sugar over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Take pan off heat and cool the syrup. Any extra cooled syrup can be saved in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Cook's note: For the afternoon tea, make a double batch of simple syrup. Reserve half for the tea bar and use the other half to make the candied lemon peel. Yield: 1 cupPrep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 5 minutes
Using an electric mixer, whip the cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Add the sugar and the vanilla and beat to combine. Transfer the whipped cream to a serving bowl. (The whipped cream can be made up to 2 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Yield: 2 1/2 cupsPrep Time: 10 minutes